Hiked up to Striped Peak first, then took advantage of the low tide to explore tide pools around Tongue Point, returning via Crescent Beach and the Beach to Bunker trail.

Road Conditions. Paved road. The nearest restrooms were a bit further down the road, in the campground. No pass required for day use.

Trail Conditions. The trails were all in great condition. The first two beach access points from the west  looked a bit too scrambly, but the third one was easy enough. With the tide at close to 0ft, we could walk out 500ft. The fourth beach access point (at the western-most tip of Tongue Point) looked not too bad, but we continued to Crescent Beach, skirting along Salt Creek to the final beach access point at the road. 

Highlights. The summit was partially treed, but had great views across to Vancouver Island, and down to Crescent Bay and along the (surprisingly) rugged-looking coastline. The tide pools had huge quantities of mussels, lots of chitons and urchins, a couple starfish, and one sea slug. 

Crowds. Couple of people on the trails. The campground didn't look very busy. A dozen or so parties on the beach. 

Hiked on 1/11. Could not go down to the cove given the high tide. Went clockwise, the counterclockwise option is where you see the ridge trail to the right about 5 mins into the trail...very steep since we came down that way and it was a little hard on our knees. Pretty at the top but probably would only go back to the cove next time. Not very scenic except for the top. First mile is very muddy, otherwise a gradual incline that way. Bathrooms at the other end of the rec area. Timed the end of our hike right as the sun set, was able to get some great photos on the beach.

The trail was muddy in places, and occasionally slippery from wet fallen leaves, but broadly good. The trail had more ups and downs than anticipated, but had a tremendous amount of diverse fungi all along it.
We saw deer at the campground, a salamander and several slugs on the trail, and sapsuckers and a flicker in the clear cut. The fall foliage was sparse but pretty, and the views of the Strait were nice.
As new hikers, we took frequent breaks going uphill and it took us just under six hours. It's definitely possible to go faster, but that was a healthy pace for us. We definitely used our trekking poles a lot, there are some steepish slippery sections that it was nice to have extra support on going up and down.
Overall, this was a nice day hike that I recommend.

Today we hiked the Striped Peak Loop for the 2nd day of my hiking group’s Fall Trip based out of Port Angeles. We pulled up to the trailhead lot just after 9:00. Three cars were in the lot and hoards of mosquitos. If you want a restroom you need to drive down to the adjacent Salt Creek campground. We chatted with a group of local women hikers and played leap frog with them all along the entire route. That was it for trail traffic. I loved this trail 80% under forested tree cover. Most of the trail was hard packed soil, except the logged area near Striped Peak and along the ridge line where it was dry and dusty. There were numerous large conifers that escaped logging decades ago. The understory is filled with ferns, nettles, hedge woundwart, wild berries and loads of fall blooming fungi. We escaped the heat except at Striped Peak summit and walking through logged forest areas. The new evergreens were only 3’ - 4’ so lots of exposure  walking through head high fireweed and dried out thistles. We took a short lunch break in the bench over looking the straits and Vancouver island in the distance. A high smoke layer diminished further territorial views.  We ended the day soaking our feet in the salt water with a beach walk down Salt Creeks. That area was loaded with waders, swimmers, standup paddle boarders and kayakers all taking in the last hit days of summer. Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.

We hiked this counterclockwise going against all advice but since we started late, we thought we’d only have time for the ridge trail. We ended up doing the entire loop and got our cardio in at the start! There’s so much diversity in one hike. Heavily treed, logged areas, and water views.

After looking up at the meadow for a few days from our camp sites at Salt Creek Recreation Area, I knew I’d have to hike this trail for the view! So it was a little disappointing to get to the overlook to only have clouds move in but we had a good laugh and kept going. There were great views of Vancouver Island and Dungeness Spit.

We had the entire trail to ourselves except at the beginning when we saw two hikers. Beautiful trail and well marked.